Carnival Cruise Line Vice President Australia Jennifer Vandekreeke attributed the move to the amount of Victorian passengers boarding Carnival ships from Sydney. "Homeporting from Melbourne allows us to expand our offering to include more of our popular New Zealand cruises and short breaks, and also gives Victorians the chance to take a Carnival cruise direct from their doorstep, enjoying all the fun features that have made Carnival Legend such a hit north of the border," Ms Vandekreeke said.

Included among those aforementioned cruises is an 11-night voyage around New Zealand, a four-night Tasmania trip and a South Pacific itinerary that lasts 10 nights.

The 2680-guest Carnival Legend also lives up to its name with 20-plus dining and drinking establishments, a top-deck splash park, and exclusive entertainment including the family-fun Seuss at Sea program. However, one of the ship's most recognisable features is the Green Thunder, the fastest and steepest water slide at sea. Ms Vandekreeke has also told Victorians to expect an assortment of new entertainment options including onboard parties, arts and craft and interactive games.

I love the kind of travelling that is one part strategic planning and two parts spontaneous adventure. Whether I'm exploring my local city or a small town in the middle of nowhere, I'm always hoping to find something no one else has discovered.